Human Rights Watch (HRW) has conducted its own investigation into the shooting of Byron Vega in Ecuador, denouncing it as an “apparent extrajudicial execution” in a letter to President Noboa. HRW revealed that an autopsy report indicated Vega had four projectile wounds which led to his death from internal bleeding. Witness descriptions and videos suggest that soldiers were slow to provide aid to Vega, despite his serious injuries.
Abraham Aguirre García, a lawyer representing the Vega family, claims that the military failed to use force progressively and did not consider the risks of shooting. The Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating the soldiers for use of excessive force. The military, on the other hand, stated in a social media post that Vega and another passenger received first aid before being transferred to a health facility. They claim they were aiming at the vehicle’s wheels, not the passengers, and blamed the circumstances of the area and the driver’s recklessness for Vega’s death.
The Vega family is calling for a ballistic examination to reconstruct the crime scene and understand the exact circumstances of the shooting. A prosecutor is investigating the soldiers involved in the incident. The Ministry of Defence stated that the case is being investigated by the competent authority, and they are providing support as needed. In the aftermath of the shooting, the other passenger, Velasco, was charged with assault and resisting arrest but was eventually released after a judge closed the investigation into his behavior on April 10.
The military commander, Carlos Salvador, claimed in an interview that the soldiers aimed at the vehicle’s wheels and not the passengers, blaming the area’s irregularities and the driver’s recklessness for the incident. However, the lawyer representing the Vega family insists that the military intended to kill when they opened fire on February 2. The soldiers reportedly delayed calling an ambulance for several minutes after the shooting, which was crucial given the seriousness of Vega’s wounds.
The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights is supporting the Vega family in their legal proceedings against the military. They believe that the soldiers failed to provide adequate aid and did not follow the proper protocols when using force. The Attorney General’s Office investigation will determine if excessive force was used by the soldiers, leading to Vega’s death. The family is seeking justice and accountability for the loss of their loved one and is pushing for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth about what happened that day.
